ACC finds evidence of fuel embezzlement in Gorai River dredging project in Kushtia
Officials claim the scam involved showing non-operational dredgers as active to siphon off fuel in collusion with a local fuel supplier
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has found evidence of large-scale fuel embezzlement worth crores of taka in the Gorai River dredging project during a raid at the Water Development Board office in Kushtia today (13 July).
Officials claim the scam involved showing non-operational dredgers as active to siphon off fuel in collusion with a local fuel supplier.
ACC Kushtia Integrated District Office Assistant Director Nil Kamal, who led the raid, said initial scrutiny of billing vouchers confirmed evidence of misappropriation.
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"We have collected preliminary documents and evidence and will forward them to the ministry for further action," he said.
According to the ACC, despite dredgers being inactive at various stages of the project, records falsely indicated they were operational, allegedly allowing fuel to be supplied and embezzled in partnership with Mondol Filling Station, the designated fuel provider.
The alleged misappropriation took place during the third phase of the Gorai River dredging and bank protection project in fiscal year 2022-23, which involved 16 kilometers of work at a cost of Tk40 crore.
Akhtar Mondol, the owner of the fuel station, denied the allegations, stating, "I only deliver fuel where I am instructed. I have no knowledge of what happens beyond that."
Project Director and Executive Engineer Saikat Biswas declined to comment on the matter.
Meanwhile, the fourth phase of the Gorai River restoration project was completed in May 2025 at a cost of Tk29 crore, covering a total of 14 kilometers. Mondol Filling Station also supplied fuel for this phase.
